Machine for trussing barrels



(No Model.)

v 3 Sheets-Sheet I.v J. A. SEM/Lm.V MACHINE FOR TRUSSINGBARRELS.

No. 376,487. Patented Jau. 17, V1888,

\ (No Model.)4 3 sheetssheet 2.

`J. A. SEAMAN. MACHINE PGR v118118811518 BARRBLS.

180.878,48?. Patente-d Jan. 17, 1888.

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lnln 8 E (No Mode'L). 3 Sheets-Sheet 3, J. A. SEAMAN. MACHINE FOR TRUSSING BARRELS.

; ya@ ff www Patented Jan. 17l

UNITED STATES .PATENT Ormes..

JOHN AQsnnMAN, on OHIOAGO, ILLINOIS.

MAoHiNi-z FOR TausslNe BARRELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 376,487, dated January 1'7, 1888.

Application led SeA t `naher 21, 1886. Serial No. 214,167. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. SEAMAN, of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Trussing Barrels, of which the following is a full, clear, and eX- act description, that will enable oth ers to make and use the Same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates to an improved automatic machine for trussing kegs, barrels, and

packages of a similar character, the same consisting of certain novel features in the construction, combination, and operation of the several parts, as will be hereinafter set forth in detail, and pointed out in the claims. The mechanism isarranged to support the package in a horizontal position, both ends being trussed horizontally.

Figure 1 is a'plan or top view of a machine embodying my improved features; Fig. 2, a broken-away plan of the mechanism for shifting the friction-pulleys, and Fig. 3 a side elevation of the same with some ot' the parts removed. Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section showing the package in a'trusscd position; Fig. 5, a transverse section in the plane 5, Fig. 4; Fig. 6alongtudinal section in the plane 3d 6, Fig. 5; Fig. 7, a longitudinal section in the plane 7, Fig. 1; Fig. 8, a transverse section in the plane 8, Figs. 1 and 7. Fig. 9 is a transverse section in plane 9, Fig. 1; Fig. 10, a

transverse section in the plane 10, Fig. 1; and

Fig. 11, a face view of one of the centeringheads; Fig. 12, a broken-away section of the centering-head in the plane 12, Fig. 11.

In the drawings, A A are two bed-timbers, forming the longitudinal part of the supporting-frame, and are-.placed at some distance apart, providing the space A', and A2, A3, A4, A5, and A6 are the parts or castings of the supporting-frame, mounted transversely on the bed or base timbers.

B B are two horizontal endless screwshafts running lengthwise with and arranged at a suitable height above the bed-timbers. These screw-shafts have a rotary, but not an endwise, movement, and have suitable journal-bearings in the ends of the-transverse parts or castings of the supporting-frame, as shown in Fig. 1. The part-so a of these shafts have a right-andleft screw-thread, so that when rotated in one direction the trussing-heads move inwardly, and outwardly when the motion is reversed.

B2 Baa're two cross-heads mounted upon the threaded parts ef the shafts B B and the hollow shafts B4 B5. rlhe ends of these crossheads are perforated and correspondingly threaded with relation to the shafts, so as to have a forward or backward movement, in accordance with the direction in which the screwshafts are revolving.

- The hollow shafts B4 B5 are arranged in the center of the machine between the screw-shafts and lie parallel with the same. shafts have au endwise movement and are provided with bearings in the center of the transverse parts of the frame, las shown in Fig. 1. These hollow shafts are provided on their inner ends with the annular ilange or face-plate a?, to which are secured by bolts a, Fig. 4, the hollow cylindrical trussing or compressing heads C G. The rear or bottom ends of these heads are partly closed, leaving a circular opening somewhat less than their diameters, thus forming the annulus a3, (see Fig. 4,)

Vthe inner edges ot' which engage with the annui lar shoulder-extension x, formed on the hollow shafts and inner side of the face plate or plates a2, thus securing and rmly holding the trussing-heads in place and preventing the same from moving out of position in any direction. The trussing-heads are provided near their central interiors with the annular shoulder at, which is adapted to engage with and set the quarter truss-hoops a5, as shown in Fig. 4. From the shoulder' a4 outwardly the diameter of the trussing-heads is increased, so that the front edge of the same will pass over, clearing the quart-erhoops, and engage with the bilge truss hoops a6. The head or end truss-hoops,

al, are set up by means ofthe annular project- Vnumber of truss-hooks on different packages.

The trussing-heads C C and the cross-heads These hollow n ICO B2 B3 are connected by the brace-bars b2 bg, as shown in Fig. 1. These bars serve to stiften and steady the movements and operation of the parts to which they are attached.

The centering-heads C C are adapted to have an independent movement and adjustment relative to the trussing-heads, and are mounted on the inner ends of the solid conipanion shafts Cz C2 and rigidly secured thereto by means of suitable adjusting set-screws, c2. These centering-heads are each provided with four angle spring-arms, b, which are set quartering, as shown in Fig. 11. The inner ends of these spring-arms are rigidly secured to the centering-heads C C, the opposite ends being loosely inserted in the enlarged apertures b of the same, as shown in Figs. 4 and 1l, to permit of a slight movement of the spring when the latter is pressed upon. The loose ends of these spring-arms pass just inside of the ends of the package, (see Fig. 4,) and exert a slight outward pressure against the interior of the same at as many diiierent points as there are arms. The object of these spring- V arms is to provide self adjusting and yielding bearings for the support and centering of the package, thespring-arms yielding to the action of the compressing-heads, and thus preventing the package from being damaged. This construction and operation imparts to the centering-heads the function of spring-heads as well.

The solid companion shafts C2 CZ have an independent endwise movement on the inside of the hollow companion shafts B4 B5. `The outer projecting ends of the shafts C2 C have the split bearing collars b4, provided with screws blz, which draw the split parts together and bind the collar in place upon the shaft. By forcing the walls of the split portion apart by means of the screws b12 the position of the collars may be adjusted upon the shaft C2, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The upper bifurcated ends of the reciprocating vertical levers b5 b5 engage loosely with the flattened surface of said bearingcol1ars,so as to insure a free endwise movement of the shafts C2 C2 and prevent binding or cramping. The lower endsofthese levers are provided with the pivotal bearings b (see Fig. 4) on a`line with the base of the frame.

The outer ends of the horizontal connectingrods C3 C3 are attached to the vertical levers b5 b5 at a point near their longitudinal center, the inner ends curved and attached to opposite sides of the disk wheel 0*, mounted on the horizontal transverse rock shaft C, as shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 5. The rods C3 C are located in the space between the carriage or frame, as shown in Fig. 5. The rock-shaft C5 is supported at each end in the bearing block or blocks C, loosely inserted in the elongated recess or recesses C, located in the lower part of the frame, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The springs Cs are arranged on each side of the bearing-block CG, so thatthe latter may yield in either direction. The object of this construction is to allow these parts to automatically adjust themselves in unison with the spring centering and trussing heads, so as to conform to any irregularities.

The hand-operating lever C (see Figs. 1 and 5) is rigidly secured to one end of the roekshaft G5. By throwing this lever over to the right the centering-heads are moved in the direction of cach other from the trussing-heads, as shown in Fig. 1. When thrown over to the left, the heads are returned to their normal position inside of the trussing-hcads.

The transverse parts or castings A2 A A* of the frame project beyond the carriage on one side, as shown in Fig. l, and provide bearings in the outer ends thereof for the driving shaft D, on which is mounted the ordinary lfriction-clutch mechanism, (see Figs. 1 and 7,) consisting of the band-pulleys D D', belted from the motive power so as to rotate in opposite directions, and the double conepulley D2, adapted to engage alternately with the correspondingly-beveled or conical inte rior surface ofthe band-pulleys. The normal position of the double cone-friction is midway between the driving-pulleys, and is then out ofengagement, the machine being at rest.

The bifurcatcd end o f the bracket-arm D"i (see Figs. 1 and S) is connected to the hub of the friction-cones, the opposite end being secured on the horizontal shifting-rod D4, supported in thc frame and adapted to have an endwise adjustment or movement. D5 is a hand shifting-lever `pivoted at the lower end to the collar d, mounted on the rod D4, as shown in Fig. 3, which is a reversed view looking from the inner side of Figs. 1 and 2. This lever is also pivoted to the fulcrum-arm d', the opposite end of which is secured to the part A4 of the frame. the rod D* can be moved endwise in either direction, thus imparting acorresponding movement to the friction-cones and throwing them into or out of engagement with the drivingpulleys, as may be required in operating the machine. The companion shifting-rod DG is arranged at some distance from and parallel with the rod D4. Pis a collar placed upon the inner end of the rod D4 and cl3 a com anion collar located opposite on the rod D. These two collars are connected by means of thelink D7, pivoted at each end to the same, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This link is also pivoted at or near its longitudinal center to the end of the fulcrum-arm d. The rod D also has the two collars d5 d mounted thereon, and so located as to bring the cross-head B2 on aline between them. To the under side and end of said crosshead, and next to the rod D", is rigidly bolted one end of the automatic shifting-arm d?, (see Fig. 10,) the opposite fork end loosely cmbracing that portion of the rod D6 between the said collars. By this means an automat-ic endwise movement is imparted to the rod D, first in one direction and then in the other, as the arm dT is alternately brought in contact with the collars df d, in accordance with the direction in which the cross-head B'L is moving.

'IOC

By means of this lever IIO The movement of the rod D6 causes the companion rod D4 to movein the opposite direction through the medium of the connectinglink D7, thus automatically throwing the friction-cones out of or into engagement, as may be required in changing the direction and movement of the trussing mechanism.

YAll the collars mounted on the companion rods D4 D6 are secured by set-screws d, so that the same may be adjusted and set at any desired point as Vpackages of different lengths may require.

The machine may also be started, stopped, or reversed by means of the hand-lever D, conneet-ed to the rod D4.

The pinion d8 is mounted on the drivingshaft D (see Figs. l and 9) and engages with the gear-wheel E, mounted on vthe countershaft E', carrying the pinion e, which in turn engages with the gear-Wheel E2, mounted onk the end of the screw-shaft B; The gear-wheel E'L neXt engages with the idler gear-wheel E3, provided with a suitable bearing and mounted on the hollow shaft B4, the' idler-wheel enhoops.

gaging with the gear-,wheel E4, the last of the train, and mounted on the screw-shaft B. This train of gearing transmits the required motion Vfrom the driving-shaft to the companion screwshafts.

The two vertically adjustable rests F (see Figs. 4 and 5) are secured opposite each other to the inner sides of the bed-timbers, and serve the purpose of supporting the package in position until picked up by the trussing mechanism. Y

The operation of the machine is as follows: The package to be trussed is placedin themachineon thesupporting-rests. Thehand-lever C9 is now thrown over to the position indicated in Fig. l,which has the effect of moving the centering-heads out from the trussingheads to engage with the package. rIhespringarms pass inside of and assist in supporting` the same in a proper central position for the action ofthetrussing-heads. Power is iinparted to one ofthe pulleys D to rotate the shaft D and pinion dwhich rotates, by means of gear-wheels E, e, E2, E3, and E, the screwshafts B and B', and these shafts, by means of cross-heads B2 and B3, move the trussing-heads forward to inclose both ends of the package, the edges coming in contact with and driving the bilge-hoops, the interior shoulder, a, performing a similar service for the quarter- The end or head hoops are set up by the bottom of the trussing heads, bearing against the centering-heads, as illustrated in Fig 4, which shows the package in a trussed position. The motion of the machine is now reversed by the cross-head B2 contacting with collar d6 and moving the rod D6 forward to reverse the position of lever D7, which forces the rod D? and bracket backward and compels the cone D2 to enter the other pulley, and the trussing-heads recede and return to their normal position. The hand-lever C@ is next thrown over to the left or opposite position from that illustrated in Fig. 1, which has the effect of withdrawing the centering-heads and returning them to the inside of the trussingheads, leaving the package free to be rolled out of the machine to receive the permanent hoops. By this arrangement both ends, are trussed simultaneously, the operation being sogradual astoproduce a uniform and evenlytrussed package in all cases.

Packages of various sizes may be trussed in the same machine by -having a corresponding number of compressing and centering heads of different diameters.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patentis-- l., In a barrel-trussingmachine, the combination of two endless rotating screw-shafts on opposite sides of the machine and having` right land left hand screw-threads on opposite ends, respectively, the cross-heads B'Z and B3 at op-l posite ends ofthe machine, and having correspondingly screw-threaded `engagement with said screw-shafts, the hollow shafts B4 and B5, on which the cross-heads are mounted, and having the trussing-heads C, and the reciprocating shafts C2, inclosed bythe hollow shafts, and having the centering-heads C', substantially as described.

2. In a barrel-trussing machine, the combination, with a hollow shaft having an endwise movement only and provided with the faceplate a2 and the annular shoulder sv, of a cylindrical trussing-head adapted to be removably secured to said face-plate and having the aunulus 0.3, which engages with the shoulder x,

Vthe reciprocating shafts C2, and the centeringheads having an annular projecting rim, substantially as set forth.

3. In a barrel-trussing machine, the combination of a hollow compressing-head of variable'diameter and having an annular shoulder, at, at or near the central interior, and annulus a3 at the rear or bottom end, and a centering-head within the compressing-head, having the annular projecting rim as, substantially as described.

4. In a barrel-trussing machine, the combination of two endless screws, the compressingheads, the cross-heads connected with said compressing-heads, the hollow shafts having an idler gear-wheel connecting the gear-wheels of the endless screws, the centering-heads having the reciprocating shafts within said hollow shafts, and the pulleys connected with said gearing and having a friction-clutch for reversing the motion of the gearing, substantially as described.

5. ln a barrel-trussing machine, the combination, with the compressing -heads, of the centering-heads C', having the annular projecting rim af and a number of apertures, b', and the angle spring-arms b, the inner ends of which are rigidly secured to the hub of said head C', while the outer ends arc loosely inserted in said apertures, substantially as described.

IOO

IIO

6. In a barrel-trussing machine, the combination, with a trussing-head adapted to set up or drive the bilge and quarter hoops, of a centering-head provided with the springs forming` a yielding support for the end of the barrel, andthe annular rim as, which bears against the end or head hoop and drives the saine by reason of said trussing-head forcing said centering-head inward, substantially as set forth.

7. In a barrel-trussing machine adapted t0 truss both ends of a package simultaneously, the combination, with the compressing-heads C C, of the centering-heads C C', having the springs which form a yielding support for the barrel and co operating with said compressing-heads, but having an independent action relative thereto, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

S. In a barrel-trussing machine, the combination, with the solid companion shafts C2 C2, having an endwise movement, of the centering-heads mounted on the inner ends of said shafts and having springs which form a yielding support for the barrel, the reciprocating levers b5, the upper ends of which are adjustably secured to the outer ends of said shafts, and the lower ends provided with a pivotal bearing, the connecting-rods C3 C, the diskwheel C, the rock-shaft C5, and the handlever C, whereby the centering-heads are 0perated by hand independently of the trussingheads, substantially as set forth.

9. In a barrel-trussing machine, the combination, with the cross-head B, of the frictioncones,the drivingpulleys, the automatic shifting-arm di, the rod D", the collars di d, the companion rod D4, the fnlcrumed link D7, connecting said rods, and the bracket-arm D", whereby the friction cone-pulleys are automatically and alternately thrown into and out of engagement relative to the driving-pulleys, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

JOHN A. SEAMAN.

Witnesses:

L. M. FREEMAN, L. B. COUPLAND. 

